New Forest walks by day and the warm hospitality of The Bell Inn by night

Posted on 30 March 2012 by Jon

new forest walks

With the arrival of springtime and sun-filled days, there’s no better time to plan a getaway comprised of New Forest walks by day and the warm hospitality of The Bell Inn by night.

Exploring the New Forest National Park is the ideal way to make the most of the stunning surroundings when you come to stay at The Bell Inn. The open and unrestricted land here is what makes the New Forest unique and making the most of the varied New Forest walks on offer means you can roam as freely as the animals do in this postcard perfect setting.

Walking in the New Forest could mean anything from exploring ancient deciduous and coniferous woodlands and heathland to wetlands and grassy plains, all the while passing alongside rivers, streams and even the sea. What’s more, there are walks available to suit all preferences and abilities. Follow designated footpaths to follow short or long routes that vary in intensity or take one of the New Forest National Park’s recommended routes. Alternatively, undertake a guided walk or do an audio tour if you want New Forest walks with a local insight into your surrounding area too.

If exploring the local villages and towns by foot is more your thing, you have plenty of choice in the New Forest. From the charming villages that pepper the National Park to the towns of Winchester, Salisbury and Bournemouth nearby, there is ample local life to discover, not to mention those all-important opportunities for cream teas.

Wherever you decide to take your New Forest walks during the daytimes, you can look forward to the warm and welcoming hospitality that The Bell Inn offers during the evenings. Indulge the appetite you will have undoubtedly built up by dining at our two AA rosette restaurant, Briscoe’s, and follow it up with a local ale or two at our traditional bar. You’ll feel perfectly at home in the quaint yet modern surroundings of our eighteenth century property; New Forest hotels don’t get much more comfortable than The Bell Inn. Come along to stay between Sunday and Thursday and you can even take advantage of our mid-week getaway, which includes accommodation, breakfast and a 3 course dinner from £45 per person.

Exploring the New Forest in the fine weather is made all the better combined with a New Forest hotel stay at The Bell Inn. Book your stay online or call 023 8081 2214: we’ll look forward to welcoming you.

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Olympic Torch visits the New Forest

Posted on 25 March 2012 by The Bell Inn

new forest olympic torch

Enjoy the festivities of London 2012 this summer from the stunning setting of the New Forest.

Who says you have to be in London to enjoy the Olympics in the UK this year? The Olympic Flame will be wending its way across the UK, passing through the New Forest on day 56 of the route on Saturday 14 July. Why not make a weekend of it at The Bell Inn by being part of the prestigious event and relaxing in the idyllic summertime setting of the New Forest?

Weekends away in the New Forest are fun-filled enough without the exciting opportunity to catch the Olympic Torch passing through too. With animals roaming freely in the New Forest National Park, activities such as golfing and cycling in plentiful supply, together with the nearby shopping centres of Winchester, Salisbury and Bournemouth – there’s something on offer for everyone.

The perfect time to catch the Olympic Torch in the New Forest during your weekend away is from 10am on 14 July as the Olympic Torch’s Hampshire foray moves from Bournemouth Pier to Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst, before going onwards towards the Isle of Wight. Local torchbearers will carry the Olympic Torch, so this is a great way to support the local community during your New Forest stay too.

To celebrate the Olympic Torch visiting nearby Lyndhurst, staying in The Bell Inn is the ideal way to round off your experience of the Olympic Torch’s Hampshire visit. The Bell Inn is a quaint, intimate, yet modern 27 room hotel found in the heart of the New Forest National Park, in the peaceful hamlet of Bramshaw. The Bell Inn is also gathering quite a reputation for quality cuisine in its two AA rosette fine dining restaurant, Briscoe’s. A meal in Briscoe’s followed by a drink in The Bell Inn’s traditional bar will be the perfect way to finish off a day of enjoying the Olympic Torch’s New Forest route.

Secure a piece of Hampshire’s Olympic Torch action by booking your weekend away at The Bell Inn now by calling the team on 023 8081 2214.

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Mothers Day lunch in the New Forest

Posted on 16 February 2012 by The Bell Inn

Mothers Day Lunch New Forest

Looking for a Mothers Day lunch in the New Forest? The Bell Inn in Bramshaw is the only way to spend Mothers Day this year: it’s a fact.

If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to make Mothers Day extra special this year, The Bell Inn’s Mothers Day lunch is the way to do it. The Bell Inn’s head chef, Scott Foy, is preparing a traditional Sunday lunch on Sunday 18th March especially for the occasion. This is no ordinary Sunday lunch. Served in The Bell Inn’s contemporary two AA rosette restaurant, our property dates back to 1782 and is steeped in character and tradition. There’s no better way for generations of your family to get together in surroundings you will all feel at home in, not to mention the culinary delights in store for you all.

There won’t be another Mothers Day lunch in Hampshire quite like it. While it will be a treat for you all, each mother will receive a small Mothers Day gift from us if you book in advance. You could make your Mum feel even more special by making a weekend of it and staying in our charming and intimate hotel. Snug rooms are available for just £45 per person, per night for bed and breakfast. With the delights of the New Forest National Park surrounding The Bell Inn, there are walks and sports to suit families with all tastes. You could even send Dad off for a round of golf at the adjacent Bramshaw Golf Club while you take Mum shopping in some of the New Forest’s village boutiques. Round off the weekend with a Mothers Day lunch in the New Forest, courtesy of The Bell Inn, and everyone is sure to be more than happy.

Book your Mothers Day lunch at The Bell Inn now by calling us on 023 8081 2214. A Mothers Day spent in the New Forest is the perfect way to make Mums feel special and we can promise that this is one Mother’s Day lunch in Hampshire that your Mum won’t forget.

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Wedding Bells Wedding Fayre: A New Forest Wedding Fayre to Remember

Posted on 9 February 2012 by The Bell Inn

New Forest Wedding Fayre

Wedding parties looking for intimate and postcard perfect wedding venues in the New Forest should look no further than The Bell Inn’s Wedding Bells Wedding Fayre this month.

The New Forest provides an idyllic backdrop for any wedding, with wide open spaces, charming villages and horses roaming free. An iconic and romantic destination for a wedding, the New Forest is also less than two hours away from London by rail or road.

To get you in the mood for your big day, The Bell Inn is hosting a wedding fayre on 19th February 2012 from 12pm until 4pm. A New Forest Wedding Fayre that promises to be both stimulating and practical, guests will have the opportunity to meet with hand-picked wedding suppliers, as well as The Bell Inn’s dedicated wedding planner, to help you plan a distinguished and bespoke wedding day.

Whether you’re looking for wedding venues in Hampshire, or more specifically at wedding venues in the New Forest, The Bell Inn will be sure to win you over. With a reputation of hosting memorable weddings that wedding parties have talked about for months afterwards, this New Forest wedding fayre will also highlight The Bell Inn’s unrivalled appeal.

The 27-room, eighteenth century hotel can be hired exclusively by the wedding party for the occasion. Located in the tranquil hamlet of Bramshaw, The Bell Inn’s period features and contemporary style will add both elegance and comfort to your big day: characteristics that can be hard to capture under one roof at other wedding venues in Hampshire. With enough space to accommodate a modest wedding party in the commodious suites on-site, the bride, groom and guests can relax in their own corner of the New Forest for the momentous occasion. Complete with a traditional bar and restaurant space, neither you nor your guests will want anything more.

Wedding venues in the New Forest don’t get much more welcoming, romantic or charming than The Bell Inn. Come along and see for yourself at the New Forest wedding fayre of the year at The Bell Inn.

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Corporate Golfing Breaks: Exclusive Golfing Opportunity in the New Forest

Posted on 26 January 2012 by The Bell Inn

Corporate Golfing BreaksIf you’re looking for corporate golfing breaks to treat a well-deserving group, look no further than The Bell Inn.

Offering the privileged opportunity to have the exclusive use of The Bell Inn and its 27 en suite bedrooms, golfing parties taking advantage of The Bell Inn’s corporate golf package will also play three rounds of golf on the three 18-hole championship golf courses barely a stone’s throw from the hotel. Golfers of all abilities will enjoy Bramshaw Golf Club’s two 18-hole courses: the Manor and the Forest. Found just across the car park from The Bell Inn, Bramshaw Golf Club is Hampshire’s longest-running golf club, having been founded in 1880. While the Manor Course is a mature, slightly oscillating parkland course, the Forest Course is found in rolling heathland with plenty of nooks and crannies to add to the challenge. Just ten minutes away from The Bell Inn is the perfectly formed Dunwood Manor Golf Club. The club’s 18-hole course enjoys demanding holes that make the most of the changes in elevation and the mature woodland setting. Those who want to add an extra dimension to their corporate golfing breaks also have the option to book golf pro tutorials too.

While there’s no doubt that this New Forest corporate golf package is ideal for keen golfing groups, The Bell Inn is a New Forest hotel that provides the perfect respite after days out on the course. Dating back to 1782, The Bell Inn’s period features, contemporary style and impeccable food and drink offerings make it the ideal base for any New Forest visit. The Bell Inn’s ‘Group Golf, Exclusive Use New Forest Break’ is a bespoke programme for corporate golfing breaks. The stay includes exclusive use of the perfectly positioned New Forest hotel, a round of golf on each of the three golf courses and two nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast. Dinner is no mediocre affair either. With a tailor made, three course Golfer’s Menu (available on request) served in The Bell Inn’s two AA Rosette restaurant on both nights, plus half a bottle of wine per person on the first night, golfing groups are in for a real treat throughout their time both on and off the golf courses. Starting at just £249.95 per person (based on 20 guests staying), The Bell Inn’s ‘Group Golf, Exclusive Use New Forest Break’ offers impeccable value for money too.

Smaller groups need not miss out on The Bell Inn’s golf packages either. The New Forest hotel also offers Golf Specials for smaller groups, which include a night’s stay with dinner, bed and breakfast, and 27 holes of golf from just £90 per person.

Whether you’re a golf pro or an eager beginner, The Bell Inn proffers the ideal spot for any golfing holiday. All offers are subject to availability – so get in quick and book your New Forest golf holiday by calling the team at The Bell Inn on 023 8081 2214 now.

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Get Fit From The Bell Inn: Cycling Breaks in the New Forest

Posted on 18 January 2012 by The Bell Inn

Cycling Breaks in the New Forest

Stick to your keep fit resolutions this January and use The Bell Inn as the perfect launch-pad for cycling breaks in the New Forest.

January is usually the month of post-festivity humdrum when you daren’t take a mini-break for fear of breaking those New Year’s resolutions you’re so intent on keeping. We’re pleased to inform you that this doesn’t have to be the case! The New Forest has a network of more than 100 miles of off-road cycle routes, making it the ideal destination to both keep fit and get away from it all. With several cycling routes starting in the direct vicinity of The Bell Inn, we rival other New Forest hotels as being one of the best spots to take a cycling holiday.

Whether you’re already a keen cyclist or eager to give it a go, the approved cycling routes in the New Forest range from 3 to 21 miles in length and follow well defined tracks, disused railway lines and minor roads, so cycling breaks in the New Forest can suit all abilities. You’re also more than likely to encounter some of the ponies, donkeys and cattle that roam freely in the New Forest – they’re part of what makes our part of the world so distinguishable. If you don’t want to bring your own bikes, you’ll find plenty of cycle hire shops across the New Forest to help you out. Cycling is just one of many New Forest outdoor activities available – other activities include golf, canoeing and horse-riding.

Whichever of the New Forest’s outdoor activities you decide to undertake, one thing is certain: The Bell Inn is the quintessential place to relax and unwind after a day of exploring. Award winning cuisine, warm and attentive service and snug bedrooms are what guests really look for in New Forest hotels on a trip like this, and you can look forward to all of this and plenty more when you come to visit The Bell Inn. If your New Year’s resolutions allow, a drink in our bar after enjoying a traditional meal and home-made pudding is an absolute must. The Bell Inn has been a celebrated free house for more than 200 years and to this day offers a tantalising selection of real ales and West Country ciders. You’ll deserve it after active days out and about!

Cycling breaks in the New Forest don’t come much better than those that begin and end in The Bell Inn. Our rooms start at just £45 per person, per night, including bed and breakfast. To make a booking at The Bell Inn, call us on 023 8081 2214 or make your reservation online.

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New Forest Restaurants: Seasonal Game Dinner

Posted on 11 January 2012 by The Bell Inn

Briscoe’s raises the bar for New Forest restaurants with an evening of game and paired wines.

The preparations for our seasonal game dinner next Friday 20th January 2012 are in full swing and we can’t wait for you to join us. Our exclusive game menu for the evening is filled with locally produced flavours such as chestnuts, quince and burnt orange syrup that we just love at this time of year. The meat comes in the form of a game lover’s paradise and includes a variety of game sourced from our family estate, including pheasant, partridge and venison. The menu has been carefully crafted by our resident 2 AA Rosette chef Scott Foy, while each course will be served with the perfect wines to match, specially chosen by our sommelier. Served in Briscoe’s at The Bell Inn, one of the most highly regarded New Forest restaurants; this is an evening we promise you won’t forget in a hurry. So if you’re looking for food-filled New Forest experiences for your stay in the area this month, you’ve found it at the Briscoe’s game dinner.

The Bell Inn dates back to 1782 and is now an intimate, 27 room hotel complete with Briscoe’s fine dining restaurant. We’re proud that food critics and customers who return again and again have firmly placed Briscoe’s as one of the best New Forest restaurants and one of the most highly regarded in the south of England, helping us to retain our two AA Rosette status since 2008. Our seasonal game dinner this month is just the latest of our captivating culinary creations and the tried and tested way to banish those January blues and enjoy the best of the season’s flavours.

The game dinner is decidedly shaping up to be a real treat for all involved and looks set to have other New Forest restaurants quaking in their boots. It’s great value too: canapés followed by four courses with paired wines costs just £49.95 per person. We’d love you to come along and join us! Remember that our special menus are extremely popular and booking is essential – just call our reception team on 02380 812 214 to make your reservation. You’ll be seated promptly at 19:45 when the meal begins; or come along earlier and enjoy a drink in our traditional bar – we always find it’s the perfect antidote to the chill in the January air. Better still, make a proper evening of it and stay overnight at The Bell Inn – our game dinner is unrivalled in the realms of New Forest experiences and we already know you won’t want to leave after an evening of hearty game, wines and general merrymaking.

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Valentines break in the New Forest

Posted on 28 December 2011 by The Bell Inn

Valentines Break in the New Forest

Why not take a romantic Valentines break in the New Forest?

Why not treat that special someone to a romantic break in a beautiful destination in the heart of the British countryside with a Valentines break in the New Forest. The perfect place to kick back, relax and enjoy some quality couple time. Love certainly will be all around.

With stunning scenery from lush forests to picturesque coastlines the New Forest is the perfect romantic destination. With excellent transport links from London by car or rail, you’ll be enjoying some well-deserved quality me and you time, in no time!

The Bell Inn is here to give every couple that perfect Valentines break in the New Forest. This quaint, cosy 27 bedroom hotel nestled in the heart of the New Forest is the quintessential couples retreat. Curl up in front of a roaring log fire together or take a walk in some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside. This UK Valentines Break will be truly unforgettable.

Let the staff at The Bell Inn cater to your every need so you can get back to what’s important- romance! Why not wine and dine your partner in style at Briscoe’s Restaurant at The Bell Inn. This two AA star restaurant will take you to culinary heaven and back with their gorgeous menu of locally sourced food and carefully selected wine. What could be more perfect than gazing lovingly into your other half’s eyes under the gentle flicker of candlelight in a wonderfully romantic hotel set in a stunning destination.

If gazing into each other’s eyes just isn’t enough then there is plenty to see and do during your Valentines break in the New Forest. The Bell Inn boasts three stunning 18-hole golf courses in very close proximity for the keen putters out there. If golfing isn’t your thing then why not take a romantic ride on horseback through magnificent landscape and really get back to one with nature. There are plenty of things to see and do during your romantic escape to the New Forest.

Show that someone special just how much you really do care with a Valentines break in the New Forest. Go on, you know they deserve it.

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New Forest Wedding Venue

Posted on 23 December 2011 by The Bell Inn

New Forest Wedding VenueCould this be you New Forest wedding venue you have been looking for?

What could be a more idyllic setting to say those ever so precious vows to that someone special than in a New Forest Wedding Venue. Tie the knot in true style and give your guests a special treat with a wedding that will be truly unforgettable in a great New Forest Hotel. With gorgeous scenery, stunning coastlines and fantastic transport links only paradise could compare.

The Bell Inn is here to offer you that magical day without a stressed bride in sight! Let them take the weight off your shoulders and help to plan your big day to exactly how you want it. With bespoke wedding packages to suit every couple. This wedding venue in Hampshire is one not to pass up. Their dedicated wedding planner will help you with every step to make that special day is extra special.

This quaint historic Inn dates back to 1782 and is the perfect cosy romantic destination to marry your betrothed. You and your guests can enjoy exclusive use of this fabulous venue and all 27 lovely bedrooms to make your wedding even more intimate. You and your guests will appreciate a cosy, thoughtful setting surrounded by loved ones and revel in the fantastic atmosphere without a stranger in sight. With a license for civil ceremonies too make it a momentous occasion in this great New Forest Hotel.

Not only is this venue utterly gorgeous, let the staff at The Bell Inn take you to culinary heaven too. Briscoes Restaurant at The Bell Inn has two AA star approval and a dedicated and professional team under head chef Scott Foy. Make your wedding truly bespoke by spoiling your guests with fantastic food and wine carefully decided by you and the team. With the hotel’s trained sommelier to top the bill, your wedding breakfast will be a memorable meal in itself.

When the big day comes let the friendly and professional staff run your wedding to perfection. The Bell Inn mean business when it comes to weddings and they want to make every couples happiest day, one to tell the grand kids. This wedding venue in Hampshire is the perfect place to say ‘I do’.

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New Forest Christmas Breaks

Posted on 15 December 2011 by The Bell Inn

Christmas breaks in the New Forest

Relax and enjoy a  New Forest christmas breaks

Hear those sleigh bells jingling with a  New Forest Christmas Breaks. Forget slaving over a hot stove to get the Christmas dinner on the table, instead kick back, relax and enjoy. Make this Christmas one to remember with a fun filled festive break in a New Forest Hotel.

The Bell Inn is here to take away the stress of this magical time of year so you can enjoy the more important things in life like spending quality time with loved ones. Set in the idyllic surrounding of the beautiful New Forest, this quaint and cosy hotel is the perfect setting for a  New Forest Christmas Breaks. Curl up with a glass of your favourite tipple in front of a roaring log fire and let the friendly staff at The Bell Inn make your Christmas truly unforgettable.

With a superb Christmas package of a 3 night stay in this lovely 27 bedroom hotel, you’ll feel as though you are in your home away from home at The Bell Inn. Arrive Christmas eve and enjoy a champagne and canapé reception with carol singers to get you in the spirit of the festive cheer. Let The Bell Inn spoil you rotten right the way from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day. With delicious and wholesome seasonal food to enjoy and plenty of drinking to be indulged you’re sure to want to stay through to New Year.

While staying at this fabulous New Forest Hotel, why not check out what your Christmas break in Hampshire has to offer. Take a walk in the stunning and picturesque scenery of the New Forest where you can marvel in the great British countryside and explore the array of local wildlife. Or if curling up in a comfy chair with a good book is more your thing then you can do just that.

With easy transport links by road or rail from London, why not take let The Bell Inn make your Christmas amazingly stress free and easy. Relish in every moment of the Christmas spirit and give your loved ones the treat they deserve. The best gift we can give at Christmas is time together.

Why not see in the New Year in superb style with a celebration at The Bell Inn too. With a Casino Royal party, it will be a New Year to remember and the perfect start to 2012. Why not start the year exactly how you mean to go on with joy and cheer and a New Forest break.

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